JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The Arcadia University men's volleyball team defeated New Jersey City University (NJCU) in five sets on Thursday night. Owen Heft led the Knights with 16 kills, and Danny Gonzalez added 13 kills.
The Knights won the first two sets of the match, but NJCU battled back to tie the match at two. Arcadia played a strong fifth set, outscoring the Gothic Knights, 15-6, in the final set to win the match.
Anthony Devantier and Vaughn McConnell split the setting duties for the Knights as Devantier recorded 23 assists and McConnell had 27.
ARCADIA 3, NJCU 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: Arcadia 25, NJCU 20
It was a closely contested start to the match as the teams traded the opening points. Arcadia took the advantage in the set by winning seven of eight points to take a 16-9 lead. The teams battled back and forth to the end of the set as the Knights took a one set lead in the match.
Set 2: Arcadia 25, NJCU 23
Arcadia dropped the first point of the set, but that would be the only time that the Knights trailed in the frame. The set was closely contested throughout as the Knights led by as many as four points, 19-15. NJCU cut the Knights lead to one at 22-21, but Arcadia won three of the final five points to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Set 3: NJCU 25, Arcadia 18
The Gothic Knights got out to an 8-3 lead, but Arcadia won four straight points to get within 8-7. NJCU won five straight points to take a 20-11 lead, and held on to extend the match to a fourth set.
Set 4: NJCU 25, Arcadia 23
A back and forth start led to the set being tied at 16. After Arcadia took an 18-16 lead, NJCU took four straight points, taking a 20-18 lead. The Knights tied the set at 21, but the Gothic Knights won four of the final six points to push the match to the fifth set.
Set 5: Arcadia 15, NJCU 6
The set was tied at three, but Arcadia won seven of the next eight points, giving the Knights a 10-4 lead. Arcadia continued its strong play to close out the match.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Heft (16), Gonzalez (13)
Assists: McConnell (27), Devantier (23)
Digs: Devantier (7), Gonzalez (5)
Blocks: Kevin Abraham (8), Devantier/Heft (3)
Aces: Devantier/Abraham (2), Amadeus Cannon (1)
UP NEXT
The Knights travel to King's for a tri-match where they will take on the Monarchs and Eastern. The action begins at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 19.
